CAIRO: Deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has no legal right to absent himself from his trial, according to Ahmed Meky, former deputy chairman of the Cairo Court of Cassation. Mubarak's trial will begin Wednesday at the Police Academy in New Cairo. He faces charges of corruption and murdering demonstrators during Egypt's January 25 Revolution. In statements to the evening talk show ‘Al-Hayat Al-Youm,' Meky said only the Ministry of Interior is authorized to prevent Mubarak from attending his trial. The ministry is also authorized to transfer him from Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital – where Mubarak has been since April – to the Police Academy for trial. Meky also said the ministry should state all reasons behind his absence if he does not appear in court. Mubarak should attend the trial unless the court is certain he is very sick, Meky added. He said Mubarak's case is unprecedented and that such a situation has never before occurred in history.
